Spices are a common ingredient found in Indian Kitchens. Most of the Indian food items cannot be cooked without the right proportion and amount of spices. But, did you know that apart from imparting strong flavour, tastes and colour to our foods, spices also contribute to good health? Here is a list of few spices that are loaded with health benefits.

Cinnamon

Obtained from the tree Cinnamomum aromaticum, this spicy bark has been consumed since 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt. Apart from imparting its sweet, spicy and strong flavour to enhance the taste of vegetables and fruits, Cinnamon can also effectively treat muscle spasms, vomiting and diarrhea. Studies also report its benefit in lowering blood sugar.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a staple spice of every Indian dish. Most of the Indian curry gets its flavour and colour from turmeric. Obtained from the roots of Curcuma longa turmeric can boost your immune system, lower your cholesterol levels and also relieve joint pain. Did you know stress can lower your immunity? Boost your immune system with Ayurvedic Massage.

Start Anise

This star shaped spice is obtained from fruits of Illicium verum. Along with its soft and exotic flavour star anise acts as a great antioxidant that protects your body from harmful free radicals. Toxins can be ingested through food and inhaled through polluted air every day. How are you fighting it? Try A.O. De-toxifcation programme.

Cumin

Cumin seeds are obtained from small dried fruits of Cuminum cyminum. Cumin is a common ingredient in Indian kitchen and is used in almost all the curries. Along with its strong flavour, cumin also provides health benefits such as improving digestion. Some preliminary studies also suggest that cumin may lower blood sugar. Cumin is a rich source of the essential mineral magnesium, which is not produced in the body naturally and therefore, must get through diet.

Clove

Clove is obtained from a flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum. The spice imparts a very pungent and strong flavour. The main active constituent of clove is Eugenol, an essential oil responsible for the medicinal benefits of clove. When used externally on the body clove oil can relieve muscle and joint pain. It is also thought to be useful in treatment of muscle cramps and soreness of muscles. Try Green Tea Scrubassage performed using a special blend of clove and green tea leaves infused in a cream base.

The immune system is body’s defensive mechanism that fights against infections. However, compromised immunity reduces the body’s capability of protecting us from infections and makes us fall sick often. While some factors such as age and genetics are non-modifiable risk factors for having low immunity, other lifestyle factors can be modified in order to boost immunity.

Choose Your Diet Wisely

Vegetables and fruits are rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, fibers, vitamins and other essential nutrients that show immune- modulating properties. You may include poultry and fish in your daily diet, but cut down on red meat, butter and margarines.

De-Stress Yourself

Being under too much stress releases certain chemicals in the body that affect the white blood cells and weakens our immunity. Try to de-stress by doing things you enjoy. Try a de-stressing massage at a spa

Stay Active

Exercise increases the movement of antibodies and white blood cells throughout the body, which acts to reduce your susceptibility to infections.

Limit Alcohol Intake

Excessive alcohol consumption may suppress immunity and increase susceptibility to certain infections. Alcohol consumption is an extremely unhealthy way to mange stress.Try these healthy ways to de-stress.

Avoid Smoking

Research suggests that the tar and nicotine present in cigarette can lower the immunity of body. The temporary stress relief that you get after a smoke is merely due to psychological reasons or distractions. Avoid this unhealthy way of de-stressing.

Consume Green Tea Everyday

Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants, known to protect against oxidative stress that can damage cells. The antioxidants in green tea are also beneficial in strengthening the immune system.

Take Ayurvedic Massage Regularly

Ayurvedic Massage increases the blood circulation causing increase in white blood cells. This boosts the immune system and improves resistance power of the body to fight against various bacterial and viral infections.

On the occasion of World Health Day celebrated worldwide on 7th April 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the issue of food safety globally under the slogan “From farm to plate, make food safe”. Here are five keys to safer food given by WHO that may save you from foodborne diseases.

What do you so in such situations? Take a deep breath and try to sort things one after the other? Well, that is exactly what you should be doing. However, some people start craving for food and resort to emotional eating in such situations. Many people turn to food to find relief from their emotions such as anger, stress, boredom, etc. The problem is, it’s not about physical hunger at all. In fact, you just reach for food to overcome your stress. Here is a quick guide that can help you understand the difference between emotional hunger and real physical hunger.

So, the next time you find yourself reaching out for some food, pause and think about whether you’re really hungry or just going through a bout of emotional eating.

Low back pain is one of the most commonly observed pain conditions. About 90 percent of the world’s population faces this kind of pain once in lifetime. The common causes of back pain include muscle strain, slip disc, arthritis, serious injury to back etc. However, some lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and prolonged sitting can also lead to back pain.

Ignoring the initial stage of minor or acute back pain can lead to chronic pain that can significantly impact physical, mental and social life. Therefore, there is a clear need to increase our awareness and bring in some healthy changes in our lifestyle in order to prevent back pain.

Here are some do’s and don’ts that you should remember while doing your routine activities to prevent back pain.